Cafe Coffee Day

Gate-side caffeine in T1 before domestic departures

Cafe Coffee Day sits in Chennai’s Terminal T1, handy if you’re flying IndiGo, SpiceJet, or other domestic carriers and want a familiar coffee name before boarding. It’s past security, so you don’t need extra time once you’re through the T1 checkpoints. Signage in T1 is decent; look for the bright red CCD logo near the main cluster of food counters by the domestic gates.

Prices at this CCD in T1 run a bit higher than city branches, with a basic cappuccino or café latte typically in the ₹180–₹230 range and cold coffees closer to ₹250–₹300. Expect standard CCD snacks too: veg puffs, sandwiches, and cookies normally land in the ₹120–₹220 band. It’s still cheaper than many full-service restaurants in MAA, so it works for a quick drink plus a light bite under ₹400–₹500.

Seating at the T1 outlet is limited, usually a small cluster of tables set directly in the concourse next to the counter. Power outlets can be hit-or-miss around those seats, so don’t count on charging your phone or laptop while you sip. The upside: you’re only a short walk, often under 3–5 minutes, from most domestic gates in T1, so you can keep an eye on boarding calls and FIDS screens while you wait.

Menu basics mirror any city CCD: espresso-based drinks, cold frappes, and the usual grab-and-go bakes. Expect common items like Cafe Frappe and Devil’s Own alongside masala chai and hot chocolate for kids. Food turnover in airports is typically fast, so puffs and sandwiches are usually fresh, but if you’re boarding a late-night T1 departure after 23:00, ask which snacks were baked or stocked most recently.

One practical tip: if your flight leaves from T2 or T4, skip this T1 CCD and clear security into your actual terminal first; MAA’s terminals are separate, and you can’t easily walk back to T1 just for coffee without another security run.